In a post shared on his X account, Retro Gaming with Deadfred has revealed the KTR1 S, a revised take on the 2022 handheld that swaps out the aging MediaTek Helio G99 for a Dimensity 7300 and doubles down on user choice. Pre-orders are rumored to start soon and it appears to be available in at least three colorways. ​
The jump from the Helio G99 (2x Cortex-A76 and 6x A55 cores with Mali-G57) to the Dimensity 7300 (4x Cortex-A78 and 4x A55 cores with Mali-G615) represents a meaningful leap in multi-threaded performance. The original KTR1 squeaked by on GameCube and PlayStation 2 titles with a slight edge over Unisoc T618 devices, but it was hardly a dominant showing. The Dimensity 7300’s quad A78 configuration delivers 20% better multi-core results than its predecessor generation, built on a 4nm process that keeps power draw in check. The Mali-G615 GPU is similarly positioned for accelerated gaming, a step up from the G57 that struggled to separate itself from budget competition.​
KT has also expanded the customization options. The original KTR1 offered a couple different SKUs letting buyers tailor the ergonomics to their preferences. The S model continues that tradition with multiple colorways (above), aspect ratio options of 4:3 or 3:2, stick placement, and now a choice between plastic or magnesium shells. It’s the same philosophy, just with more premium materials in the mix for those willing to pay for lighter weight and sturdier construction.​
The original KTR1 was pitched as a high-performance option in a market glutted with T618 handhelds, but its real-world advantage was modest at best. The Dimensity 7300 should widen that gap, particularly in demanding emulators where extra CPU headroom translates to better frame pacing and fewer compatibility issues. Whether that’s enough to justify the inevitable price premium over budget alternatives remains to be seen. Pre-orders will reveal if the audience for a customizable, performance-focused handheld is larger than the niche KT carved out three years ago.
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